Chicago Bears waive Brody Eldridge, sign Leonard Pope
By David Miniel
Ever since the Chicago Bears traded Greg Olsen to the Carolina Panthers a few seasons ago, the tight end position for this team has been a question mark.
They had a giant of a man in Kellen Davis who stepped up as the number one tight end for Chicago, but failed more than he succeeded when it came to playing his position.
The Chicago Bears brought in former Dallas Cowboy and New York Giant, Martellus Bennett this season, which is an improvement compared to now Pittsburgh Steeler Matt Spaeth and Cleveland Brown, Davis.
Brody Eldridge, played guard at Oklahoma, has been a blocking only tight end through three seasons in the NFL. The team waived Eldridge today, making room for newly signed tight end Leonard Pope.
Pope, 30 years old, will add experience behind Bennett, where the Bears were lacking with Fendi Onodun, Kyle Adams and Steve Maneri rounding out the depth chart. Pope had 3 catches for the Steelers last season.
He’s pulled in 105 catches for 982 yards with 11 touchdowns, going into his seventh year in the league, playing for the Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The signing will be official as soon as Pope passes his physical.
Pending a physical #Bears expected to sign TE Leonard Pope.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 2, 2013